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Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher (audio)

Source: Purchased
Audiobook, 3+ hrs.
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Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher, who narrates, is an entertaining listen even as the story is no where near linear and Fisher often takes detours to tell her tales. In some ways, this memoir is more like a comedic routine, leaving readers wondering if the events are true or merely anecdotes she tells to make her readers pay attention. From the marriage scorecard to the chart of Hollywood inbreeding, Fisher has a unique way of examining her life as a child of Hollywood stars. In midst of her wacky examinations, it is clear this would work wonderfully on stage as a show, which is how writing the book began (in her words) — it also works well on audio.

What shines in this audio are her one-liners and her jabs at Star Wars, but it also is clear that she loves her mother and her daughter. She has a deep love for her family, but she also sees them as part of how she became who she is. And while she does see genetics as part of the problem with her addiction and mental illness, she also indicates that it also is how she chose to cope with those issues. There is a lot about addiction and mental illness, but it is treated with the distance of wit and comedy, leaving the memoir lighter than readers may expect.

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher is short and in may ways a bit too light. However, listening to the audio, readers will get a clear sense that she has learned to let go of her tragedies and to move forward even though the road has been rough.

RATING: Tercet

About the Author:

Carrie Fisher (1956 – 2016) was an American actress, screenwriter and novelist, most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy.

Comments

  1. I had to get a second book when I bought Ulysses to get the free shipping so I almost went with this one, but then thought I could just get it from the library. I read a sample though and it looked good. She writes like how she speaks, which is what I like in a memoir.

  2. Serena, it sounds like you enjoyed this audio book. I am sure the author’s approach offers needed comedic relief. I don’t listen to many audio books– I sometimes wish I had a longer commute to work so that I could listen to more of them.

  3. Anna (Diary of an Eccentric) says

    This sounds interesting, though the non-linear structure would probably bother me, regardless of the format.

  4. One’s own mental illness is a tough subject to let others know about. Glad you enjoyed this one. I don’t know too much about Carrie Fisher except what I read online on the day she passed away.

  5. bermudaonion(Kathy) says

    I think the non-linear aspect would bother me, especially on audio.